Release date: May 28, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids and build a rewarding career as an oncologist.

Things aren’t going so well.

For one, the guy didn’t work out. Theoretically, she’d love to find someone else, but it hasn’t happened. Two, she’s just been transferred out of oncology for being too emotional. (Is it her fault she’s a weeper?) Three, her parents just split up.

Deviating from the plan was…well, not in the plan. A potential solution comes from the foul-tempered and renowned surgeon Lorenzo Santini (aka Dr. Satan). He needs a date this summer for his sister’s wedding. His ancient Noni wants to see him settled. In exchange, he could make a few introductions and maybe get Lark back into the field of her choice.

As a sucker for old people and fake relationships, Lark agrees. Teeny problem—she instantly falls for his big, warm family. Especially his estranged brother.

Meanwhile, Lark’s mom has moved in with Lark’s flamboyant landlady, Joy, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. The three women have a long summer and a big beautiful house on the ocean to figure out what’s next…and quite possibly learn that the best things in life aren’t planned at all.

Review:

I just adore the authors books, she never misses for me and her style of writing books that both lift you up and break your heart just really works for me. I was pleasantly surprised to see some characters from A Little Ray of Sunshine and if you’ve read that one too, I’m sure you’ll be just as delighted as I was. If you haven’t read it yet, you should! Especially if you like messy families with larger than life characters and just wonderful storytelling. But I digress, I immediately connected with Lark, she’s a tender hearted little angel who I felt protective of, I seriously wanted to tuck her into bed with some tea and a good book after learning more about her backstory. That’s the thing about this author, (and this book) is that one minute you’re laughing at some witty dialogue and the next I’m crying and didn’t even realize it. The characters here are larger than life, they leapt off the page and right into my heart. I know that’s cheesy but it’s true! Besides Lark you hear from her mom, Ellie and her landlady, Joy in alternating chapters and I just adored all three of these women. Each was struggling individually with some aspect of their life and the way they helped and supported each other was everything. Per usual this is one of the best books I’ve read this year, an emotional read with characters I won’t forget and a story that was heartfelt and beautiful.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.